Cited by 54Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchCognitive Functions and Memory

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Older Adults: Prevalence and Possible Connections to Mild Cognitive Impairment

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Ivanchak, Nikki, Fletcher, Kristen, Jicha, Gregory A.·2012·Current Psychiatry Reports

Abstract

Attentional deficits are frequently seen in isolation as the presenting sign and symptom of neurodegenerative disease, manifest as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Persistent ADHD in the geriatric population could well be misconstrued as MCI, leading to the incorrect assumption that such persons are succumbing to a neurodegenerative disease process. Alternatively, the molecular, neuroanatomic, or neurochemical abnormalities seen in ADHD may contribute to the development of de novo late life neurodegenerative disease. The present review examines the issue of causality vs confound regarding the association of ADHD with MCI, suggesting that both are tenable hypotheses.

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  • ADHD has demonstrated a high degree of comorbidity of other psychological and mental conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, conduct disorder, sleep disturbance, oppositional defiant disorder, binge eating disorder, tic disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, drug and substance dependence and mood disturbances.

    “Furthermore, ADHD has demonstrated a high degree of comorbidity of other psychological and mental conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, conduct disorder, sleep disturbance, oppositional defiant disorder, binge eating disorder, tic disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, drug and substance dependence and mood disturbances, among others [72, 74].”

    From Molecular Characterisation of the Mechanism of Action of Stimulant Drugs Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate on ADHD Neurobiology: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [74]

    The “Adult ADHD-Associated Cognitive Impairment and Comorbidities” section (page unavailable) associates ADHD with depression, anxiety, and alcohol/drug dependency; its Depression and Anxiety subsections give further support for those conditions. The copy does not support the sentence’s additional examples, including insomnia, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, binge eating disorder, tic disorder, bipolar disorder, and personality disorder. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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  • Adult ADHD is associated with substantial impairments in productive role functioning, social role functioning, and most strongly in cognitive functioning.

    “Our results regarding role impairments are also consistent with much previous research in showing that adult ADHD is associated with substantial impairments in productive role functioning (Kupper et al. 2012), social role functioning (Bouchard and Saint-Aubin 2014), and most strongly in cognitive functioning (Ivanchak et al. 2012)”

    From The descriptive epidemiology of DSM-IV adult ADHD in the world health organization world mental health surveys (2017) · cites this paper as Ivanchak et al. 2012

    The section “Adult ADHD-Associated Cognitive Impairment and Comorbidities” reports that cognitive deficits related to ADHD can persist into adulthood and possibly the geriatric years. It does not compare the strength of cognitive impairment with productive or social role impairment, so it does not establish the claim’s “most strongly” qualifier. No page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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Authors
Ivanchak, N., Fletcher, K., & Jicha, G. A.
Affiliations
University of Kentucky (US)
Corresponding author
Jicha, Gregory A.
Venue
Current Psychiatry Reports
Published
2012-08-11
Volume
14
Issue
5
Pages
552-560
ISSN
  • 1523-3812 (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-1645
OpenAlex
W2040816655
Cited by
54
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2
FWCI
0.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Psychiatry Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (P30AG028383, L30 AG032934, 1 L30 AG032934)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, older adults, mild cognitive impairment, prevalence, misdiagnosis, neuroanatomical abnormalities, neurochemical abnormalities
MeSH terms
Aged, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Brain, Humans, Middle Aged, Comorbidity, Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic, Prevalence, Cognitive Dysfunction

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